Product Description
Now in trade paperback, this bestselling biography of Jack Benny, in the tradition of Gracie and The Ragman's Son, is the definitive book on Benny, written in his own words, and with rare photographs and recollections by his daughter. 32-page insert. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (20)

It's not a new book!
The ad said this book was new, but when I opened the box I discovered a much used book.Otherwise, the transaction went smoothly and I have enjoyed reading the book

title misleading
Advertised as a book about Jack Benny - his life, his career, his jokes - "Sunday Nights at Seven" turns out to focus to a far greater extent on the life of his spoiled daughter.Lounging in the lap of luxury during the '30's & '40's, Joan seems naively unaware that the rest of the world is suffering under the pressures of depression and war.She is given a brand new car at age 16, a driver's license with no test, a charge account at a boutique, an elaborate debutante party, etc.She is a self-admitted thief who deceives her parents, forges her mother's signature, steals her mother's clothes.But i finally must abandon the book, when she begins to repeatedly tear her mother's character to shreds, at one point even accusing her mother of trying to steal her boyfriend.She claims to venerate her father, but then proceeds to "honor" his memory by obliterating the reputation of the woman he adored.Perhaps her therapist should explore the Oedipus complex implications of her psyche?

completely entertaining
I enjoyed every page of this book. The thoughts detailed by his daughter were excellent. She never once seem to gloat over her comfortable lifestyle but told her growing up period in great candor.

Terrible
As a life long fan of Jack, growing up with him on radio every sunday night I was delighted find this selection on Amazon. However since starting to read this self centered diatribe, I have decided to burn the book instead. While Jacks comments and rememberances are priceless, Joans comments are worthless.Who cares about what she thinks of Christmas, how many presents she got for same or how bad her mother was as a cook? The book would have been better published as Jack intended, HIS story. A look at the books back cover would have scared off most buyers.

I liked both of their writing
I enjoyed both authors' stories, when they overlapped and when they didn't.I thought the story of Joan's first marriage was fascinating, and why would anyone blame a parent for telling us about her children?This book is about what it was like to be Jack Benny, and what it was like to be his daughter.People are reviewing it as if it was supposed to be something else.

Well done! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Best book ever about Jack Benny and his show!
I could not put this book down!It has 44 chapters and a great table of contents to help you navigate to the information that you want to read about.The chapters are as short as a couple of pages or as long as 20 pages.There are whole chapters on Phil Harris, Dennis Day, Mary Livingstone, Rochester, and Don Wilson!The chapter titles "Stooges" has well labeled and easy to find multi page subsections on Mel Blanc, Frank Nelson, Sheldon Leanard (the Racetrack tout), Artie Auerbach (Mr. Kitzel), Sam Hearn (Schlepperman and The Rube), as well as the phone operators.There is an informative chapter on Jack's relationship with Jack Paar, that no other book covers in as much depth.If you like to read short articles about specific facets of Jack's life and his show, then this is the book for you.Of all the books on Jack, this is the one that I come back to the most. You can tell Milt is a comedy writer because much of the book is laugh out loud funny.There are many poignant moments presented as well, like the fact that the book includes the text, in it's entirety, of Bob Hopes eulogy to Jack Benny.Some of the other books on Jack are better as an overview of his life, but none outshine this book as a look at the inner workings of Jack's show and the cast and crew involved in it.The other refreshing thing about this book, is that many of the stories about Jack I hadn't read before.Many of the other books repeat the same stories told by Jack in interviews over the years, and it is wonderful to read some "new" stories instead of just rehashing.Great, great read for fans of The Jack Benny Show, and well titled!"Well, were running a little long folks..."

Couldn't put it Down
I listened to the Jack Benny Program as a very young child and was better able to appreciate his humor on TV.As an adult I've relished listening to tapes of Benny's radio programs.Milt Josefsberg's "The Jack Benny Show" drew a Benny portrait, albeit sometimes disjointed and sketchy, that gave me a real feel for the entertainer, human being, and his entourage.Josefsberg amply demonstrated Benny's innocence, love of humor, schnookiness, modesty and artistry.That alone made the book worth reading.I also treasured his relating Jack Benny to George Burns, Bob Hope, the Ronald Colmans, Fred Allen and his various writers.The book did lose punch when describing Benny's last years and alluding to his possible extramarital relations on one hand while eliminating the possibility on the other. Curiously, while Josefsberg addresses Benny's last illness, he never provides a cause of death.In fact, Benny's family and doctors never told him that he had stomach cancer.I completed my read knowing so much more about Jack Benny and Company and glad that I did.

Covers Benny's career from early 1900'sto the end in 1974
The book covers Benny's career from 1910's to the very end in 1974. It includes his relationship with his father and mother as well.

Written by one of his writers who worked with him from the mid-forties and on, whom Jack confided in.

It includes Benny's vaudeville, movie, radio, and television experience as if Benny was writing an autobiography.

Published in 1977 when most of the people written about were still alive. While punches are thrown, they are delivered with a velvet glove.

On the plus side, it gives a complete realistic description of Benny as a person, which is why so many people liked him. It also shows how radio and early television worked in those days.

It gives a good insight of the Fred Allen vs. Jack Benny "feud" and a good character of Fred Allen himself.

On the negative side, with the exception of Jack's wife Mary Livingstone, it basically ignores the other people who worked with him.

Not an essential read, but a good addition to those wanting to know more about Jack Benny, particularly the real man himself

By the way, why does Amazon include a 'NO' in 'was this review helpful to you?'. People are only human and don't like opinions that differ from themselves, thus the 'NO' makes it too easy express such displeasure.

Are they trying to discourage negative reviews, hence not purchase the CD. Such reviews only help a person in not being dissatisfied a product that received positive reviews

Mediocre nostalgia-fest.
This is not a proper biography or critical overview of Jack Benny's life, but a disorganized collection of anecdotes by one of his former writers. Full of affection, but thoroughly toothless, and a lot of Benny's humor doesn't translate to the printed page -- recaps of favorite bits and gags fall flat.It's not in chronological order (often it's not even clear when some of the events described took place), and it gives very little perspective on Benny's long career.For Benny's life, look elsewhere; for his humor, get one of the many collections of his classic radio series. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Chaplin, Keaton, or Benny?
Any discussion or poll regarding who gets crowned as the greatest comedian of all time will always include names like Chaplin, Keaton, Lloyd, Chase, Normand and Arbuckle, just to mention a few. Though I have to concede that it is very much like comparing apples to oranges, to me it is not even a close contest. The man voted the greatest personality in radio history easily wins that battle.

The Jack Benny show was on the air for 25 straight years and every Sunday night people's lives got brighter and funnier thanks to Benny and his gang. Using the silence rather than the sound made on radio Benny got more laughs than anyone. The joke was often on him, or rather his radio persona of a skinflint who fancied himself, among other things, a big movie star, a great violinist, a ladies man, and the world's funniest radio star. In real life he was only the latter.

This fantastic collection offers 10 hours of famous guest stars, always a staple of the program. Many big names like Welles and Stanwyck were on often, and good pals. Others jumped at the chance when asked to appear because they knew they would be the ones getting the laughs, while Jack's character would be the brunt of the laughter. Jack once stated that he knew the next day no one would remember the exact jokes, only that the Benny show had been a riot.

Some great stars appear here, including Stanwyck and Ann Sheridan, Welles and Robert Taylor, Bob and Bing, Joan Bennett and the great Tyrone Power, Skelton and Jimmy Stewart, Peter Lorre and Jane Wyman, and more. It is Benny's cast of regulars, however, which make these shows so very entertaining. Mary Livingston, Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, Dennis Day, Phil Harris, and Don Wilson all helped to make the Jack Benny Show the absolute best.

Having listened to them all, I believe the shows from the 1940's here edge out the 30's ones in hilarious moments, but none of them are duds, to be sure. A few of the shows are from bases where Benny and the gang were entertaining the troops during the war. Benny would do this extensively and contract pnemonia in 1943, with a young Orson Welles guest hosting an entire month while Jack recovered.

All the stars have chances to shine during their stint. Al Jolson gets to perform April Showers and You Made Me Love You while he and Phil Harris have a running gag about Eddie Cantor and Larry Parks. Tyrone Power and Mary recalling their time in London with Jack is a riot. Jack takes a couple of cadets to see the wonderful Stanwyck. Sheridan and Bennett remind the boys what they're fighting for at military camps.

If I had to pick a favorite episode here, however, it would probably go to the show where the guest star was a complete surprise, even to Jack himself! In a show from 11/21/48 Jack spends nearly the entire show on hold while an operator attempts to contact someone at BBD&O advertising agengy. Of course there's a lot going on around him with the gang while he waits for lots of laughs. Jack had decided to use his writers at the end but Don Ameche substituted for one of them as a joke and when he read the final gag as a Spanish parking attendent, Jack looked over and went into hysterics. He couldn't even manage to sign off he was laughing so hard!

You'll be laughing that hard too and fall in love with Benny and the gang. A fabulous booklet by Anthony Tollin accompanies the set. Listeners must know that the sound quality here is excellent. However, the Smithsonian has mislabeled one of the shows! The show with Jane Wyman is actually the show with Ann Sheridan and the show labeled Sheridan the one with Wyman. Everything is here and wonderful though. A must have for old-time radio fans! ... Read more

Product Description
The Smithsonian Institution and Radio Spirits are proud to bring you The Best of Old Time Radio Starring Jack Benny. These original recordings have been digitally restored and remastered for superb sound quality and pure listening enjoyment. This collection also includes a 60-page historical book filled with rare photographs and a foreword by Irving Fein, Jack Benny's personal manager and producer. A coveted collector's item. This ten episode and six hour collection includes Jack Benny shows and other classic Old-time Radio Shows that Jack Benny starred in including Fred Allen, Burns and Allen, Suspense, and The Lux Radio Theatre. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Love of Old Time Radio shows
My husband loves this and other Old Time Radio shows while on his trips.It definitely keeps his company.He has other Old Time Radio shows he has listened too several times.Yes, I would recommend this product.Excellent quality of sound and brings back joyful memories.

An essential collection
This excellent box set - the result of a joint project by Radio Spirits and the Smithsonian - is an essential purchase for admirers of Jack Benny.Entitled "The Best Of Old Time Radio Starring JackBenny",it covers the full range of Benny's radio days,including notonly four of his own shows (dating from the period 1952-1957) but also twolesser known contributions to "radio's otstanding theatre ofthrills",the "Suspense" program (the episodes featured are"A Good and Faithful Servant" and "Murder inG-Flat"),and one play for the Lux Radio Theatre ("Seven Keys toBaldpate"),a radio version of "The Horn Blows atMidnight",and one edition each of "The Fred Allen Show" and"The Burns and Allen Show".The good quality CDs come with aninformative booklet written by Anthony Tollin.This is really something totreasure. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Easy, pleasant and completely enjoyable read.
I admit, I am a big Jack Benny fan so it may be a little hard for me to be objective. This is a simply a great book. You will smile on almost every page, not because it is full of jokes (it isn't) but because it is written by someone that obviously loved her topic and in a clear and thoughtful manner. Glad I bought it and recomend it to everyone.

Jack Benny, The Funniest Man In The World
He was acclaimed as the funniest man in the world but because he died so long ago his fame has been eclipsed by such as Bob Hope, etc.His films are a mixed bag and many of them have never even been issued on VHS, much less DVD.I'm surprised that his movies have been so neglected, but he did have a famous flop which killed off his studio career with THE HORN BLOWS AT MIDNIGHT.After that, no studio wanted to touch him.His wounded pride found solace in thinking he was still the #1 radio star and he was soon to start a great new television career.And in "concerts" he and his violin were always popular.Remember his theme song, "Love in Bloom?"Well, if you are under 60 you probably don't.

I liked this biography, but at times it crept close to the tasteless.Maybe back in the day the routine was funny, but in print the account of how Benny and Greg Peck traded laughs and quips over who beat their wife more often is crass.And I didn't like Mary, she comes across in this book (which she helped to write) as egotistical and driven.Her biggest laugh on radio came with a bit where Jack is talking on and on about something and Mary finally turns to him and says, "Oh, shut up!"That brought the house down, she reports.Most disgusting of all is the joke that Armand Deutsch tells about his youth, when as a child he was the intended victim of the pedophiles Leopold and Loeb.In the locker room at the golf club, Jack asks Deutsch what it felt like to know one came so close to being raped and mutilated by two killers."Well, Jack," he says, "after the way I putted today, I kinda wish they had gotten me!"

Jack Benny by those who really knew him
This loving biography is written by Jack Benny's widow, Mary Livingstone Benny, her brother and Macia Borie. Reading this biography takes you back to a much simpler time, when you could listen to the radio without hearing shock jocks and stupid promotions every 10 seconds. It's also a love story, one that is made sweeter by the lasting quality of it compared to the current crop of celebrities that are out now (Nicolas Cage and Lisa Marie Presley splitting after less than 4 months of marriage - who even has the thank you notes finished by then?).
If you enjoyed Jack Benny on radio or tv, get this book and get an intimate portrait of this wonderfully funny man. ... Read more

Product Description
1976 - 1st Edition - Putnam - Hardcover - Jack Benny : An Intimate Biography - By Irving A. Fein - Introduction by George Burns - Biography - 16 Pages of photos - With Dust Jacket - Good Condition - Collectible ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A must for any Jack Benny fan
A thoroughly engaging and briskly written portrait of the world's greatest comedian by the man who was his producer, business manager, and close friend for 28 years. It's chock full of humorous anecdotes about Jack's many famous friends. It also details the stories behind some of his most famous sketches and how they were written. In short, a must for any Benny fan!

the best biography of Jack i've seen so far...
this book, which was issued in 1976, is still a wonderful look at the beloved comedian Jack Benny who entertained generations of comedy fans from radio in the '30s to TV from the '50s through the early '70s...and he's still entertaining us by way of repeats of his TV programs or through countless cassette and CD releases of his radio programs thanks to Old-Time radio dealers. The book was written by Irving Fein, Jack's manager. The thing you'll learn is that Jack was "real". He went through all the things that any one of us face: anger, happiness, insecurity, longing for friendship, etc. after reading parts of the book, i was surprised that Jack, in real life, was prone to bouts of lonliness. he felt awful or useless if someone wasn't around him {according to the author, who sort of resembles Jack himself; Fein's picture is on the back flap}. i also learned that Jack was "married" to show business {in truth, what successful entertainer isn't?}. The book turns sad near the last chapters recalling Jack's pancreatic cancer and how everyone around him assumed Jack's stomach pains were coming from anxiety (Jack was nervous about doing "The Sunshine Boys" movie with Walter Matthau because throughout his TV career he used cue cards or in radio, simply read the script literally but this movie required he had to learn his lines). It wasn't until after the doctor out of the blue wanted to examine Jack's pancreas that his cancer was discovered! a truly sad segment of the book. The book, i think, paints a picture of a comedian who was an optimist to a fault...which means that even though the business around him had changed and the comedy became more and more anti-establishment thanks or no-thanks to the late '60s Vietnam culture revolution, he still carried on and carried himself in his later years like it was the '30s or '40s. such optimism i think keeps an entertainer 'young' in the eyes of fans and peers. If Jack had become an angry "i hate my youthful competition" type in his later years like Milton Berle at times appeared to be; such devotion, respect, and love for Jack wouldn't be as abundant as it's been nearly 30 years AFTER his death {he died in December 1974}. Aside from the book from 1990 that Jack's daughter wrote { "Sunday Nights at Seven" }, this is the best biography of Jack Benny i've seen so far! i also recommend fans of Jack seeking out the book Robert Taylor wrote about Fred Allen in 1989 called "Fred Allen: His Life and Wit". That book and this Jack Benny book from Irving Fein are must-have collections for any classic comedy fan.

good read, not too helpful
great read for entertainment value, but the author goes all over the place and it's hard to keep track of his thoughts... also many of his dates and other factual info were off.full of great ancidotes, but for Jack Benny/radio age term paper reserch (as it was used), it wasn't very helpful.a good read for someone who's read everything elese... a much better, excellent book is 'sunday nights at seven' by jack and joan benny, instead.

A well written humorous book
Jack Benny, An Intimate Biography, was a well written book.The author, Irving A. Fein, did an excellent job of portraying Benny's life and expressing his unique sense of humor.The biography was enjoyable to readand was very entertaining.I would reccomend this book for anyone whowants to learn about one of the greatest comedians of all time and of hishysterical jokes which he played on his fellow actors. ... Read more

Product Description
Ronald and Benita Colman made 20 guest appearances on The Jack Benny Program, including some of the most hilarious entries in the series. The Colmans' refined personaes played an excellent grand opera to the ragtime of Jack's mercenary enterprises.

In this set, you'll hear the dashing Ronald read the winning entry of the I Can't Stand Jack Benny contest and provide the Oscar that Jack was carrying when a robber demanded, Your money or your life. You will also hear Benita receive the third longest laugh ever on the Benny radio program. It's no wonder that The Colmans' visits to Benny's radio series have become listener classics.

This collection includes 16 digitally restored and remastered comedies of manners pitting Jack's failed attempts to play the sophisticate against the Colmans' waning patience with their neighbor's perpetual violin practice and persistent borrowing. A Program Guide by Laura Leff ,featuring photographs and information about this wonderful next-door nonsense, is also provided.

EPISODES INCLUDE: Jack Is Invited to the Colman's for Dinner 12-09-45, The English Butler 12-23-45, Contest Winners Names Announced 02-03-46, Violin Practice Interrupts Ronald Colman's Rehearsal 04-14-46, Guests Leo Durocher, Ronald and Bonita Colman 11-17-46, Jack's Birthday Party 02-16-47, Leaving for Chicago 04-27-47, Corner Drug Store 11-09-47, Jack and Mary See Colman's Movie 02-01-48, Jack Is Robbed of Ronald Colman's Oscar 03-28-48, Charlie's Aunt 04-25-48, Ronald Colman's Oscar Is Returned 05-09-48, The Colman's Have Dinner at Jack's 10-24-48, A Day at the Races 03-06-49, How Jack Met the Colmans 10-29-50, The IRS Visits Jack Because He Spent Seventeen Dollars on Entertainment 04-15-51 ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Wonderful Collection of Classic Jack Benny
I have become a huge fan of Jack Benny through this collection.The collection spans his entire career in radio.His humor is timeless, so I catch all of the jokes.I can not speak highly enough about this CD collection.

I was at a book signing with Lauren Bacall (To Have and Have Not, The Big Sleep) and mentioned that I had recently heard her on the Jack Benny Show (not on this CD collection, sorry)She responded that Jack Benny was a genius.I have listened to many other old radio comedy shows and I have to agree with her.Benny set the standard for comedy radio.

I have found the recent TV programing to be rather uninteresting and these CD's have helped fill the void.They nice to play when doing the dishes or other things that require your visual attention.They are of course wonderful on long car trips.

Now on the the actual collection.The case they come in is well made, very portable and holds the CDs well .Sometimes they are a little sticky on coming out of the plastic sleeves.Possible problem if your trying to drive a car.This collection comes with a very nice pamplet that fits inside the case which talks about each program and lists all of the guests.Some radio shows were serial and left you with cliffhangers.Bennys show was typically not like that although they sometimes had running jokes.

Now I understand that you might be rather hesitant to purchase 20 hours of a program you don't know if you like or not.I was that way too.If you are unsure about if you would like Benny's humor there are single CDs that are much less.Also you can purchase a copulation of different Radio Programs.Walter Cronkites 20th century radio has a very nice variety of EVERYTHING.If your just into comedy look into the Legends of Comedy collection.Most of these can be found on Amazon.Or you can go to the makers website at RadioSpirts.com. ... Read more

Product Description
Jack Benny's supporting cast - his ;gang; - was the heart, soul, and success of his radio program. Mary Livingstone, Don Wilson, Phil Harris, Eddie Rochester Anderson, Dennis Day, Frank Nelson, Mel Blanc, Artie Auerbach, and Ronald and Benita Coleman delivered many of the best jokes - and earned biggest laughs - on the show.

Many members of this talented ensemble went on to star in programs of their own - always with Jack's support. This collection includes some of the gang's best work - both on and off of Benny's program.

This 10-hour digitally remastered collection includes episodes of classic comedies (including The Phil Harris - Alice Faye Show) and rare treats (including The Private Life of Rochester Van Jones). Also included is a Program Guide by Ivan G. Shreve, Jr. with photos and background information about the featured performers.

EPISODES INCLUDE: Lucky Strike Program Starring Jack Benny: The Cast Doesn't Like Their New Contracts 05-02-48, Don Won't Sign His Contract 01-23-49, Jack is Upset With the Cast 05-08-49, How Jack Met His Cast 05-28-50, My Career as a Hospital Nurse 03-09-52, Jack's Scrapbook 01-16-49, Cast Introduced 05-29-49; Halls of Ivy: The Fighting Med Student 05-24-50; The Private Life of Rochester Van Jones: Girl Friend Problems 05-12-50, The Big Date 05-13-50; The Rochester Show: Willie Johnson's Big Deal 02-18-50, Clooney Watson, Starlet 02-19-50, Cast Auditions for The Rochester Show 02-15-50; Here Comes Mr. Kitzel: Audition 12-27-50; Abbott & Costello Show: Lou's Race Horse, Peanut Butter 11-09-44; Are You a Genius?: Bugs Bunny AFRS 1940's; The Whistler: Brief Pause for Murder 09-11-49; Jeff Regan, Investigator: There's Nothing Like a Pork Chop When Supper Rolls Around 08-06-50; Are You a Genius?: Porky Pig AFRS 1940's; A Day in the Life of Dennis Day: Keeping the Radio Station on the Air 04-07-48, Neither Rain Nor Snow 01-21-48, Dennis Does a Radio Show 01-28-48; Fitch Bandwagon: Will Benny Renew Phil's Contract 03-09-47; The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show: Hiring Santa Claus 12-19-48, New York Trip 01-29-50 ... Read more

Product Description
The ultimate book on Jack Benny's varied career. Includes these chapters:I Remember Jack by Frank Bresee The Sweetest Music This Side of Waukegan by Clair Schulz In the Movies with Jack Benny by Kay Linaker with JanineMarr Finding Himself in the Footlights: Jack Benny in Vaudevilleby Pam Munter The Women in Benny's Life: An Examination of Jack's LuckWith the Fairer Sex in Radio, TV, and the Movies by MarkHiggins Benny's War by B. J. Borsody Cheapskate Benny or Generous Jack? by Charles A. Beckett Balzer on Benny by Jordan R. Young To Be or Not to Be: Jack Benny in Hollywood 1940-1945 byPhilip G. Harwood Jack Benny and Fred Allen: The Fierce Fighting of GoodFriends by Noell Wolfgram Evans My Adventures in Hollywood by Jack Benny Benny's Floopers and Blubs (Uh, Bloopers and Flubs) byMichael Leannah Better Play, Don by Jack Benny Jack and Johnny: To Each a Fan, To Each a Friend by SteveNewvine From the Cradle to the Grave: The Births and Deaths of thePrincipal Characters of "The Jack Benny Program" by RonSayles and Michael Leannah What're You Laughing At, Mary? The Comic Voice of MaryLivingstone by Kathryn Fuller-Seeley Mel Blanc: Man of a Thousand Voices by Marc Reed Jack Benny: Cartoon Star by Derek Tague and Michael J.Hayde Jack Benny: Guardian Angel by Steve Thompson Timing Is Everything by Jordan R. Young Finding Jack Benny in Today's Waukegan by MichaelMildredson ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Hodge-podge of Writings on Jack Benny!
Of all the comedians I enjoyed during the 1950s and '60s, I loved Jack Benny the most. Every Sunday night he and his band of zanies - Don Wilson, Mary Livingstone, Dennis Day, Rochester, Frank Nelson and my personal favorite, Mel Blanc - brought much laughter and joy into my house. And just about everything I learned about being funny, I learned from Jack Benny; he was the master! Michael Leannah offers up a scattershot collection of writings on this legendary comedian in this 2007 BearManor Media release.

To say I eagerly awaited getting a copy of this book is an understatement. While it includes some interesting and sometimes funny essays on Benny, I have to say I was kind of disappointed. I enjoyed the sections on Benny's early career and radio successes, flubs made during the course of those radio shows, his feud with Fred Allen, write-ups on Mary Livingstone and Mel Blanc, Benny's friendship with Johnny Carson, etc. The essay on the Warner Brothers 'Jack Bunny' cartoons, though, was marginal. And I failed to see how the 1990s WOLFF & BYRD comics that used a Jack Benny-like character in any way reflected 'the life and career' of JB.

Those criticisms aside, most Jack Benny fans will want to pick up a copy of WELL! It celebrates the life and times of one of America's greatest funnymen. Recommended.

A Great Book About a Great Man
The editor, Michael Leannah, says that this book about Jack Benny isn't a biography. Well, maybe not, but it sure does give us a clear picture of what the man was really like and why his co-workers loved him so much. Would you believe that Jack Benny originally wanted to be a musician? That comedy wasn't his goal from childhood? Who would'a thunk it? I listened to him on the radio as a child and watched his TV show every week, but only now, after reading this book, feel that I truly know him. This book consists of essays and articles, each written by a different person (except for two that Benny wrote himself), and they zero in on specific aspects of his life and/or career. Terrific reading for Jack Benny fans!

Great collection of articles about all aspects of Jack's career!
I wish it were less expensive, but this is a great idea for a book.I enjoyed all of the various articles in the book, especially the one on Mary Livingstone.She hasn't had a lot written about her, other than her relationship with Jack.The article on his film history was also interesting.The article by his co-star in Buck Benny Rides Again had lots of inside insight into what it was like working with Jack.The most intriguing section was about the cadence of the dialog on the show and how similar it was to a musical form.I would love to see a follow up book with articles on Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, Phil Harris, Kenny Baker, Dennis Day, and Don Wilson. ... Read more

Product Description
Hilarious Hollywood spoofs were a beloved feature on many classic Jack Benny radio shows. Regular cast members and guest stars alike were recruited to send up cinema classics like Casablanca, High Noon, and Sunset Boulevard. Celebrities could count on large laughs - and, looking good next to Jack's lovably vainglorious and miserly self - while poking fun at their most famous films.

Even without guests, the movie mockery continued. Jack would simply announce a sketch and proclaim that he would be playing the lead! The rest of the cast, of course, was not to be out done - note Rochester's rendition of As Time Goes By and Mel Blanc's Sleepy Mexican routine.

A treasure trove for both Benny-files and film fans, this set includes 12 digitally restored and remastered episodes, performances by the likes of Bob Hope and Edward G. Robinson, and a Program Guide by Ivan G. Shreve, Jr.

EPISODES INCLUDE: The Hunchback of Notre Dame 03-17-40, Mr. Benny Goes to Washington 01-24-43, Casablanca 10-17-43, The Killers 11-24-46, It's a Wonderful Life 02-02-47, Dark Passage 11-02-47, The Treasure of Sierra Madre 05-01-49, Sunset Boulevard 03-25-51, Captain Horatio Hornblower 09-23-51, High Noon 09-28-52, Road to Bali 01-11-53, The Snows of Kilimanjaro 03-08-53 ... Read more

Product Description
The most comprehensive study to date of Jack Benny's early radio work, with in-depth information on every regular show from May 1932 to May 1942.Includes detailed show descriptions, full cast lists, full song and artist lists, and notable show aspects.Also includes indexes on all major show details. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

All the Benny Details
Laura Leff has done a superb job in compiling this show-by-show account of Jack Benny's early radio career...every single show, with every guest artist, the first occurrences of catch-phrases, the gradual development of the best-loved characters in radio history--it's all here in wonderful detail.I'm waiting eagerly for Volume II!

The definitive Jack Benny radio log
A must for any fan of Jack Benny's radio work.This book has it all:detailed plot summaries, full cast lists, song lists, notable facts about each show, bloopers, and every index you could want.From a great organization, the International Jack Benny Fan Club at www.jackbenny.org. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Jell-O again...this is Jack Benny talking...
this book is sensational. it's very informative and detailed, which is what i like to find in celebrity-driven books. to be fair, i haven't read Irving Fein, Milt Josephsberg, or Mary Livingstone's books about Jack so i won't say this is better than those two. i've got the book that Joan Benny issued in 1990, with 85% of it written by Jack himself, and that's very revealing. this book, "The Radio and Television Work", spotlights all the facets of Jack's career. From vaudeville, to early talking films, to radio, and into TV. Jack's hilarious feud with my other favorite, Fred Allen, is recounted here as is a script from a TV show of Jack's where Fred is the guest star. the action takes place at Jack's sponsor's office. The book also talks about the various long-running gags as well as Jack's false persona he fooled an entire generation with {the bad violin playing; the cheapskate; the braggart; the vault in his basement; always drove a jalopy; kept a pay phone in his house for guests; and why Jack was 39 until the day he died; etc.} as the book departs from the TV series segment, it focuses on his highly-rated TV specials. from the first "Jack Benny Hour" special in the late '50s through "Jack Benny's Second Farewell Special" in the early '70s, everything is captured on paper. Jack's guest appearances on numerous TV shows are also highlighted. the character of "Rochester" is chronicled from his original 1939 stereotypical black servant role on through the humanizing of the character in the mid '40s as an "equal" to Jack and everyone else on the show, despite the obvious fact that he continued to be Jack's butler. This book will also examine Jack's use of pauses and silences. For those who aren't familiar with Jack Benny, he wasn't a joke telling comedian. He was a reactionist to his co-stars hi-jinks plus he made himself the butt of the jokes. The only time Jack would get excited or wordy is when being taunted by Fred Allen or when jumping all over announcer Don Wilson for his weight, which was a long-running gag. this book is written for everybody. long time fans like myself {i'm 26 but i've known of Jack and the gang since the mid '80s, thanks to the repeats of his TV show on PBS} will find this book inseparable and addictive! newcomers who've only heard the name Jack Benny by way of Jay Leno or Kesley Grammer will learn just about everything they always wanted to know after reading the book. long-time fans will know why i titled this review the way i did!

The best book about Benny's work.
This is a large-format hardcover catalog that was produced on the occassion of a large exhibition devoted to Benny's career at the Museum of Television and Radio, New York, in 1991.It contains several short essays about Benny, synopses of about 150 of his programs, script excerpts and photos on almost every page.If you're interested in Benny's work , track down this book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Here's an honest review
There's something highly suspicious about all the one-star reviews on this book. Sounds like somebody is out to promote their competing book if you ask me. Some of the "reviews" contain outright fibs: e.g., the entry on NBC's Monitor Show states very clearly it was a radio show that ran from 1955 to 1974, not a "TV show" as the reviewer alleges. I used to listen to radio as a kid, starting in the late 1940s. I looked up all my old favorites, and found the entries to be accurate and informative. The huge number of entries are necessarily short, but this book brought back memories! It's good place to start in getting into the history of old radio. Also contains 120 period photos.

Worst excuse for a "reference" book I've ever come across
Five years later, and nothing's changed - this book is still an embarrassment and Facts on File will never own up to it.

I need not cite any other example than this one:The entry on the pioneering program "Amos 'n' Andy" runs for several pages - and through the entire piece, Lackmann confuses Charles Correll, who played Andy, with Freeman Gosden, who played Amos, persistently having it the other way round.If he cannot even get this elemental fact about the show straight, there is no reason to pay attention to any other assertion he might make.It's inexcusable.

As others note, errors like this may be found on every single page.What a waste of paper.

Readers interested in old-time radio are directed to the very excellent "On the Air:the Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio," by John Dunning.

Sloppy, Sloppy Research
The book is published by Facts on File.Apparently having facts on file is not a substitute for knowledge of the subject.In just one sitting I discovered... The Lone Ranger was produced in Pittsburgh (No, Detroit). NBC Monitor was a TV show (No, radio). Paul Harvey retired in the mid 80's (I heard him yesterday). And the errors just keep on comin.' Buy Tune in Yesterday, instead.

In response to Mr. Lachmann's comments
Mr. Lachmann, in his comments on our 'amateur reviews,' says that its easier for us to criticize his work than produce one of our own, and in that manner dismisses our critiques.Yes, writing is definitely hard work, completing a project even harder.Congrats to Mr. Lachmann for that.BUT,we are not saying that the book is poorly written - i.e., something that issubjective.We are saying that the book is filled with factual errors! Mr. Lachmann should rather embrace our comments so that he can fix theseerrors in a new edition, rather than not even address the issue.As forthe 'professional' people who gave it such good reviews, it can only bethat they didn't do much more than skim over it.If we 'amateurs' saw allthese errors, think what the pros would have seen had they actuallyconcentrated on it!

Riddled with inaccuracies as from a .357 Magnum
This book is full of inaccuracies from beginning to end. I list a few of them in Cave Canem, an online guide to reference book erratas.Email me for the URL. ... Read more

Product Description
This updated edition of Same Time...Same Station (Facts On File, 1995, ISBN 0-8160-2862-1) is a true celebration of the medium, as well as a fact-filled reference of radio broadcasting history. More than 1,000 entries cover all major radio programs, including their characters, sponsors, storylines, the stations that carried them, and more. Also featured are 120 photographs that capture the characters and go behind-the-scenes of radio programs; appendixes on show chronologies; vintage radio show clubs; newsletters, organization, dates, and cast lists. Among the personalities, characters, and topics covered are:

Lucille Ball, whose "My Favorite Husband" became TV's "I Love Lucy"
Orson Welles, who began his radio career as Lamont Cranston, a.k.a. "The Shadow"The comedy shows of Bob Hope and Jack Benny
The Mercury Theater's broadcasts of literary classics, such as H.G. Wells' "The War of the Worlds"
Characters such as Dick Tracy, Li'l Abner, The Lone Ranger, and Fibber McGee and Molly
Today's radio personalities such as Don Imus, "shock jock" Howard Stern, and Rush Limbaugh

Descriptions of radio genres, from soaps, mysteries, and comedies, to sports, talk radio, and news broadcasts. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

There needs to be a better version
As others have already mentioned, there are many errors throughout this book and most of them are due to sloppiness, carelessness, or maybe laziness. Most of the mistakes that I have come across, including titles, years, names of people involved, program lengths, would be easily fixed. OF course it becomes overwhelming when you realize that if somebody who isn't even a radio historian has spotted that many mistakes, there must be hundreds more that I'm not even aware of.

But just as bothersome as the many glaring factual errors is the emphasis in the write ups of each program. A great deal of importance is placed on the names of the announcers and the sponsors, sometimes taking up a large portion of the thumbnail sketch, while very little is said about the nature of the actual program; the writers, the storylines, the changes undergone by the show; for instance that Burns and Allen went from being a somewhat surrealistic show about two people who were in a show together but were not romantically involved to being a show about a married couple that took place in their home (and not at the studio) seems to me to be something worth mentioning.

A wonderful, concise reference book about old time radio
Ron Lackmann's Encyclopedia of American Radio is a great book to have in a library.The descriptions of the celebrated radio programs of the past and the hundreds of short biographies of many of the most popular radio actors of the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, as well as those of several current radio performers, are informative and clearly and simply written. Most important, this is a fine reference book for anyone who wants to read about "old time" radio. The photographs in the book are really excellent and I have never seen most of them anywhere else before, in spite of the fact that I have read about old time radio extensively.This is a good book for young people who want to learn more about a radio show or a performer of the past they might have heard about in passing.I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in entertainment of the past.

Nearly useless.
The only useful thing about this infuriating -- and inaccurate-- book is the selection of photos.Otherwise, get Dunning.

Errors in book detract from its value
Nice photos, but how much faith can you put into the text when simple errors stick out like sore thumbs

For instance:

Man Called X: Ken Thurston did not have a girlfriend and had nothing to do with the Cafe Tamborine (that was an entirely different program.)

Jack Moyles did NOT replace Frank Sinatra as Rocky Fortune. That series ended when Sinatra left it. Moyles DID star in Rocky Jordan, an entirely different show.

It is little things like this and make the book suspect for me. How many more errors are in this book? What can one take as fact and not with a grain of salt?

Excellent concept, faulty execution. I would not buy this book again and am considering returning my copy for credit. I do not consider this book to be a valuable reference item. Casual reading yes...reference work...no

Great Job Ron Lackmann
This book, The Encyclopedia of American Radio, is an excellent, comprehensive compilation of facts and photos relating to radio shows and personalities of the past that were part of Radio's Golden Age...the thirties, forties and fifties.It is a very fond look back at those days when we all gathered around the family radio and listened to such great shows as The Lone Ranger, The Shadow, The Lux Radio Theater, Jack Benny, et al.The amount of information given in this book is vast and the Appendices, which lists hundreds of dramatic anthology shows and personalities not given separate entries in the book, is extensive.An amazing achievememnt and it is Fun to read and not dull, which is more than I can say for other less well written Radio Encyclopedias that have been published in the last few years.Congratulations, Mr. Lackmann, for a job well done. ... Read more